Mississippi State
21-13,8-10SEC
#12 Auburn
26-7,13-5SEC
State’s SEC Tourney Run Concludes
March 16, 2024 | Men's Basketball
Bulldogs fall to No. 12 Auburn 73-66.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – An exciting Southeastern Conference Tournament run concluded for Mississippi State on Saturday. In a physical, competitive, nip-and-tuck semifinal game against No. 12 Auburn, the Bulldogs dropped a 73-66 decision to the Tigers.
Josh Hubbard scored a team-high 20 points for the Bulldogs, D.J. Jeffries totaled 12 and Tolu Smith III notched a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, but it wasn't enough for MSU to continue its run in Nashville that included a 10-point victory over LSU on Wednesday and a dominant 73-56 win over top-seeded Tennessee in Thursday's quarterfinal round.
Against Auburn, State was able to control things for the majority of the first half. The Dawgs led by as many as eight points in the opening period before the Tigers rallied. The contest went to halftime tied 31-31.
Early in the second half, Auburn seized momentum. The Tigers went on a 12-4 run out of the locker room to go up 43-35 and Auburn led the rest of the way.
Five different Tigers scored in double figures in their triumph. Chad Baker-Mazara led the way with 14 points.
Mississippi State now awaits its March Madness fate. The Bulldogs – widely projected to be in the NCAA Tournament field – will find out for sure on Sunday. The selection show begins at 5 p.m. and will be televised by CBS.
